De Boer favourite to take over as next manager of Everton

Frank de Boer has emerged as an early favourite to become Everton's new manager following the departure of Roberto Martinez.

Everton announced the exit of Martinez, 42, from Goodison Park on Thursday after three seasons in charge, the same day de Boer resigned from his post as Ajax coach.

The Merseyside club has confirmed David Unsworth and Joe Royle will be in charge for tomorrow's final game of the season against Norwich.

The timing of De Boer's departure, four days after Ajax lost out to arch-rivals PSV Eindhoven in the race for the Eredivisie title, has seen him installed as the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Martinez.

De Boer's agent was reported earlier this month as saying the former Holland international would "love to join a club like Everton" and on Thursday evening his brother Ronald confirmed the 45-year-old's interest.

"Frank is interested in the Everton job, but it's not up to him to make the move, that's up to the club," Ronald said. "In my eyes he's the right man for that job."

Southampton manager and fellow Dutchman Ronald Koeman, Sevilla head coach Unai Emery, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, Stoke's Mark Hughes and former Everton boss David Moyes have all been linked with the vacancy.

Martinez, who succeeded David Moyes in 2013, had three years left on his contract.